Maternal Near-Miss: Recovery from Life Threatening Birth Trauma (Ep. 441)

Today’s topic is maternal near-miss. If that term is unfamiliar, please join us to learn more about this perinatal scenario that profoundly impacts many birthing people, their partners, and the future of their mental health, marriages, and families. Our guest shares her professional expertise and her personal experience with navigating pregnancy loss, postpartum hemorrhage, and postpartum anxiety. Since this is an intense topic, please judge for yourself whether you are ready to listen.  Tiffany Lowther is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. She owns Lowther Counseling Services and is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Perinatal Mental Health. She specializes in supporting adults through pregnancy and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, along with trauma and PTSD related to pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum.  Show Highlights: Tiffany’s journey leading to her specialization in perinatal mental health Explaining maternal near-miss: a life-threatening complication during pregnancy, childbirth, or up to 42 days postpartum, where a birthing person almost dies, but survives Don’t dismiss or ignore feelings that something is “off.” Racial disparity and medical bias need to be changed. Emotional impacts of maternal near-miss (on the birthing person AND the family) The range of complicated feelings with maternal near-miss Conflicting emotions when the partner has to take over for the mother The importance of men taking care of their own mental health, even though they may find it uncomfortable Avoidance, dismissal, and a hesitation to have more children after a maternal near-miss Turning toward each other with honesty and love–how it helps the relationship. Steps to healing after maternal near-miss: Reach out to your support system and the appropriate mental health professionals. Talk to others in support groups to find empowerment. Tell your story! It helps the healing process. Recall the beautiful parts of your story. Tiffany’s perspective: What mothers say about their healing, reconciliation, recovery, and relief after doing the hard work Tiffany’s advice for those who have been through a maternal near-miss and might want to have another child Resources: Connect with Tiffany Lowther: Website and Facebook Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, email me about openings for private pay clients! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices